Adjustable support for invalids



(No Model.)

W. HARBAUGH. 9 ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR INVALIDS.

No. 591,099. Patented Oct. 5,189'7.

WW @W llNiTED STATES PATENT Fr es.

WINFIELD HARBAUGH, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

ADJUSTABLE 'su PPo RT FOR lNVALIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,099, dated October 5, 1897.

Application filed ne 10, 1896- Serial No. 595,019. (No model.)

i To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WINFIELD HARBAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Supports for Invalids and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to manufacture and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable supports for invalids which are primarily provided for the accommodation and support of persons while resting in a partially-reclining position.

My present invention has for its prime object the providing of a simple, light, durable, and inexpensive device capable of being folded and automatically locked into a very small compass and by the use of which a person can be supported in almost any position from an uprightsitting posture to almost an outstretched reclining one.

A further advantage of my invention lies in the fact that the parts are capable of considerable extension, thereby obviating the necessity of the patient changing his or her position to accommodate the position of the support.

The parts are so arranged as to be readily assembled, not liable to derangement, and positive in their action.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof are particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I have clearly illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, and in the several views have employed like letters of reference to designate like parts.

Figure l is a perspective View of my invention in'an extended position, Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the device folded. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the hinge employed. Fig. 4 is a detail. y

I will now explain the construction of my invention, reference being had to the above drawings by letter. I

A represents the front supporting member of thedevice, which is formed of the parallel side strips B and C, curved cross-braces a and b, and parallel intermediate slats d.

Pivoted 'to the lower extremities of the strips B and C- are the members D and E, respectively, whose opposite extremities are in turn pivoted to two similar strips F and G.

Extending backward from the brace a is the rod H, which is formed with a terminal flange e, which'is screwed to brace a, as shown in Fig. 1. Thisrod I-I extends through a perforation in the brace f, which latter is pivoted to the upper extremities of the members F and G.

Connecting the members D and E, and at v a point near their center, is the cross-brace g,

which is pivoted to members D and E in a manner similar to brace f.

Secured to and projecting from the brace g is a rod I, which is similar to rod H and. passes through a perforation in a brace h, pivoted to members F and G at points midway between their extremities. To retain the members F and G in a relatively rigid and firm position, I have provided the lower cross-brace j.

It is quite manifest from the drawings and foregoing description that the members D and E, being capable of folding against the side strips B and O and the members F and G against D and E, the whole device will present a very compact appearance; but to enable the projecting rods H and I to fold fiat against the other closed members, and at the same time lock the latter in the desired portable condition, I have caused the rods H and I to be broken at the points m and n and united with suitable pivots, when they will assume the position shown in Fig. 2.

The hinge employed consists of a fiat piece of metal 19, formed as shown in Fig. 3, which is set into slots in the extremities of the hinged members and held therein by apivot in one and a plurality of screws in the other.

It will be readily seen from Fig. 1 that the front member A can be adjusted to any angle by operating the binding thumb-screw q, and, further, if it is desirable to extend the member A into a position parallel to its former position the thumb-screws r and q may both be operated to comply with thedesired conditions.

The knobs s and t are provided to prevent the complete withdrawal of the rods H and I from the perforationsin the pivoted braces f and it.

Although I have especially designed the device for use by persons confined in bed, still the invention is applicable to those habiting the seashore or other lounging-places.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an article of the class described the combination with a back-rest, of a series of members so arranged and secured to said back-rest in such a manner that by changing the inclination of said members the position of said back-rest can be changed without changing its inclination, while the inclination of said back-rest can be accomplished without changing the position or inclination of said members, and means for firmlylocking said rest at any angle or any shifted position for the purpose set forth.

2. In an article of the class described the combination with a forward and a rear member, of an intermediate member the opposite extremities of which are hinged to diametrically opposite extremities of said forward and said rear member, and adjustable rods connecting said members, said rods being broken and hinged to permit of folding, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an article of the class described the combination with a back-rest, of a series of members hinged to said rest, adjustable locking means between said rest and said members and by means of which said rest can be advanced or retracted and firmly locked in the same or a different angle of inclination, said locking means being further adapted to adjust the angle of inclination of said rest without changing the position of said members.

4. In an article of the class described the combination with a forward and a rear member, of an intermediate member the opposite extremities of which are hinged to diametrically opposite extremities of said forward and said rear members and adjustable rods connecting adjacent members for the purpose set forth.

5. In an article of the class described the combination with a back-rest, of a plurality of members connected to said rest, a plurality of adjustable locking devices positioned on said article, one of said devices being adapted to adjust the angle of inclination of said rest and firmly hold it in said position, while the other device is adapted to advance or retract said rest and shift its position for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

WVINFIELD I-IARBAUGII.

WVitnesses:

LEE D. CRAIG, WALTER R. CRAIG, 

